West Side Swim Club is a competition-focused USMS swim club based in Sudbury, MA at the Atkinson pool. WSSC was formed in May of 2008 by a consortium of swimmers and athletes who wanted a purely competitive training environment…something that previously did not exist in the New England masters swimming community. What sets us apart from other teams is that our focus is purely on competition training and the betterment of athletes in pool competition, triathlons or open water swims. This is individual training in a small group setting. West Side Swim Club is famous for hosting one of the two largest free online workout databases in the world.

Our team is capped at 24 swimmers at our main location (we have West Siders swimming around the globe). This ensures that each swimmer gets the necessary 1×1 training that they might not normally get in a larger group setting. Our swimmers love the individual 1×1 attention they get every day, not just once in a while. Each swimmer is required to put forth their goals at the beginning of the year and they are carefully reviewed and agreed upon by both the coach and swimmer. Periodic review of goals ensures that the objectives always remain clear.

The atmosphere at West Side is one that puts hard work, dedication and commitment to the test. Swimmers need to have a specific goal before they can enter the water and must work hard at every workout they attend to achieve that goal. All workouts are written with a heavy emphasis on technique first with a strong work base. Kicking, drilling, swimming…its all there. From September through May, every swimmer is required to be in the water a minimum of 3 days a week. From May through September that drops to a minimum of 2 in the pool and one OW although most swimmers continue to do 3 or more in the pool.

Every three weeks, there is underwater and above water video taken for swimmers and an analysis done of the strokes. We utilize the latest training equipment both in the water and on deck. VASA trainers, stretch cordz and medicine balls are just some of the training devices we use in addition to core work and dryland work.

The average workout consists of anywhere between 4,000 and 10,000 yards depending on the swimmer, their goals and the specific emphasis. Swimmers are expected to show up on time or at an agreed upon time with the coach. Every minute of every workout is maximized.

Your commitment level will be matched by the coach. Swimmers who demonstrate a willingness to get better at swimming will achieve their goals. Our coaches just don’t stand on deck and preach. West Side coaches ARE swimmers. If the swimmers do it, we do it.

Though West Side SC does not formally recognize its LMSC, it is very proud to be a program under United States Masters Swimming. USMS has a long tradition of supporting its clubs and West Side has a deep appreciation for what USMS does for its clubs, its swimmers and the sport of swimming overall. To register for USMS, please visit their website at http://www.usms.org.